The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Lurie Children’s is staffed and equipped to manage the complex care of children with concurrent medical and psychiatric treatment needs. Our specialists help many young patients overcome depression, anxiety and other psychological or behavioral concerns related to their serious medical illness, as well as those children with primary mental health issues.
We believe in family-centered care. Research shows that family involvement is key to a child’s healing process. Through our family therapy sessions and parent education, you will gain support and training to more effectively care for and interact with your child. We also offer several outpatient treatment groups for children and families, as well as a program that helps older teens transition from pediatric to adult care.
Each of our mental health professionals brings dedication and specialized expertise to the individualized care that every patient receives. For hospitalized patients and those in the day program (Partial Hospitalization Program), our team members meet frequently to discuss each child’s progress and refine treatment goals and after-care planning. When appropriate, the department offers diagnostic tests such as developmental, psychological and neuropsychological.
In addition to patient care and research, we also train healthcare professionals to become mental health specialists. We are committed to helping decrease the national shortage of child and adolescent mental health providers.
The Center for Childhood Resilience works with Chicago Public Schools. Our expert staff teach a curriculum on social and emotional coping skills and help schools integrate behavioral health services into their efforts to help students, as well as training school professionals in how to address trauma in youth.

Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children's is nationally-ranked for pediatric and adolescent behavioral health by U.S.News & World Report.
Psychiatric & Psychological Conditions We Treat
Our physicians make every attempt to stay at the forefront of treatment advances, making sure they provide our patients with the best care possible. We take specialized and evidence-based approaches to providing psychiatric and psychological services for a wide-range of conditions.
- Adjustment Disorders
- Anxiety
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Childhood Behavior Problems
- Developmental Delays
- Functional Neurological Disorder
- Mood & Anxiety Disorders
- Mood Disorders (Affective Disorders)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Psychogenic Non-neurological Syndromes
- Psychoses
- Suicide
- Tics and Tourette Syndrome
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Services
For almost 60 years, the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Lurie Children’s has provided psychiatric and psychological services to families and their children of all ages, from every social and economic background. Our services are in great demand.
- Children’s OCD/Anxiety Spectrum & Tic Disorders (COAST) Program
- Eating Disorder Program
- Forensic Assessment for Immigration Relief (FAIR) Clinic
- Inpatient Psychiatric Services
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Lurie Children's Little Ones
- Mood & Anxiety Program
- Mood, Anxiety, ADHD Collaborative Care (MAACC) Program
- Neuropsychiatry Program
- Neuropsychology Testing
- NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program: Child & Adolescent Clinic
- NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program: Early Childhood Clinic
- Outpatient Psychiatric Services
- Partial Hospitalization Program
- TARGET Program
- Trauma Treatment Service (TTS)
- Treatment Groups for Children with Mental Health Conditions
Evaluations
Our clinicians will examine your child’s current challenges, strengths and functioning level, as well as their developmental, educational, family, medical and psychiatric history. Learn about the types of evaluations we provide below.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Specialists
Our multidisciplinary team includes:
- Child and adolescent psychiatrists (MD or DO)
- Child psychologists (PhD)
- Advanced practice nurses (APN)
- Psychiatric social workers (LCSW)
- Pediatric nurses
- Milieu therapists
- Recreational therapists
- Special education teachers (Inpatient and Partial Hospitalization)
The head of the department, John Walkup, MD, is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Scott Compton, PhD
Vice Chair of Psychology and Chief Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

John Walkup, MD
Chair, Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Margaret C. Osterman Board Designated Professor in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Jacqueline Ader, LCSW
Outpatient Psychiatric Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jeanne E. Antisdel, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Richard A. Arend, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Sybil Baker, LCSW
Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Associate Director, School Mental Health: Interventions, Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR)

Ewa D. Bieber, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Moshe D. Bitterman, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Sara Budowsky, LCSW
Senior Psychiatric Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Amanda N. Burnside, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Alison E. Chavez, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Colleen Cicchetti, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Executive Director, Center for Childhood Resilience

Allison H. Clarke, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Thomas K. Cummins, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Caryn Curry, LCSW
Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director, Organizational Excellence, Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR)

Ellen Curtin, MSW, LCSW
Collaborative Care Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Priscilla H. Duong, PhD
Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Caitlin C. Engelhard, MD, PhD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Bonnie S. Essner, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Meredyth A. Evans, PhD
Medical Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Rebecca Ford-Paz, PhD
Co-Director, Forensic Assessment for Immigration Relief (FAIR) Clinic; Clinical Child Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Tara L. Gill, PhD
Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Karen R. Gouze, PhD
Psychologist and Mental Health Consultant, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Madeline Graber, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Sydney R. Grant, LCSW
Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jeanne Greenblatt, MD, MPH
Psychiatrist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Mallory Hilliard, LCSW, CADC
Clinical Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Clayton D. Hinkle, PhD, ABPP
Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Carmen Holley, LCSW
Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director, Early Childhood and Community Engagement, Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR)

Kelsey Howard, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Aliza Jaffe Sass, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, Lurie Children’s Primary Care - Town & Country Pediatrics

Aron C. Janssen, MD
Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Lizabeth L. Jordan, PhD
Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Rebecca M. Kanine, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Shannon L. Kawa, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Caroline E. Kerns, PhD
Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Christy Ky, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

MaryBeth Lake, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

John V. Lavigne, PhD
Chief Psychologist and Medical Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Kimberly M. Lienhoop, MA, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Amanda K. Lossia, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Kelly W. Lowry, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Lisa E. Mash, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Devin C. McNulty, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Heart Center

Katie Meyers, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Suzanne Millman, MA, LCSW
Psychiatric Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Justin A. Moore, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Elizabeth C. Moroney, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Katrina T. Obleada, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine

Jamie J. Pacis, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center

Jaclyn L. Papadakis, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Ben E. Parchem, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Tapan K. Parikh, MD, MPH
Psychiatrist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

John T. Parkhurst, PhD
Child and Adolescent Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Coordinator, Mood Anxiety ADHD Collaborative Care (MAACC) Program

Lauren A. Pascarella, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Eric A. Peist, PhD
Child and Adolescent Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Alba Pergjika, MD, MPH
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jennifer E. Peterson, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Sigita Plioplys, MD
Head, Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Clinic, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jonathan M. Pochyly, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Lauren Potthoff, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Stephanie K. Powell, PhD, ABPP
Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Tali Raviv, PhD
Child Clinical Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director, School Mental Health, Center for Childhood Resilience

Edna Y. Romero, PhD
Medical Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Anna Maria Ros, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Julie M. Sadhu, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director of Education, Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Training Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program

Megan N. Scott, PhD
Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Khushbu H. Shah, MD, MPH
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Medical Director of Psychiatric Acute Care Services; Director of School & Community Psychiatry Fellowship Rotation, Center for Childhood Resilience

Miller Shivers, PhD
Staff Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jasleen Singh, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Mashana L. Smith, PhD
Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Associate Director, School Mental Health: Healing Centered Engagement, Center for Childhood Resilience

Jessie Solomon-Greenbaum, LCSW
Clinical Educator, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Andrea E. Spencer, MD
Vice Chair for Research, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Laurie G. Thompson, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Anthony T. Vesco, PhD
Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Keith V. Wallace, MDiv, MSW, LCSW
Senior Social Worker, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jonathon W. Wanta, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Jill Weissberg-Benchell, PhD, CDCES
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Tareq Yaqub, MD
Attending Physician, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Frank A. Zelko, PhD
Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Courtney A. Zulauf-McCurdy, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Alyssa Zwicker, PhD
Pediatric Neuropsychologist, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Greg Gaffud, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Anna Ivanenko, MD, PhD
Member, Children's Community Physicians Association

Catrina C. Litzenburg, PhD, MEd
Pediatric Psychologist, Lurie Children’s Primary Care - Town & Country Pediatrics
Make an Appointment
We offer several scheduling options for your child's care needs.
Our Locations
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park
2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming Place
Chicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362
Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Pediatric Outpatient Center
25 N. Winfield Road
East Entrance
Winfield, Illinois 60190
630.933.6631
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lake Forest
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital Campus
900 N. Westmoreland, Suite 110 (Bays Medical Office Building, 1st Floor)*
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
312.227.1010
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in New Lenox
1870 N. Silver Cross Blvd. (formerly Clinton Street)
Suite 100
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
312.227.3620
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Westchester
Surgical Treatment Center
2301 Enterprise Drive
Westchester, Illinois 60154
312.227.7900
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center at 1440 N. Dayton
1440 N. Dayton St.
Chicago, Illinois 60642
1.800.543.7362
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook
1131 Techny Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600
Research
Our specialists conduct research that helps improve the detection and treatment of childhood mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.
Psychiatry News & Stories

School-Based Program for Newcomer Students Boosts Mental Health, Research Shows
The first randomized control trial of the school-based intervention called Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG) shows significant reductions in depression, anxiety and behavior problems among refugee and immigrant students.

Black Kids and Families Are Forced to Overcome Marked Disparities in Early Care and Education Settings
A new review article published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly found marked disparities and inequities in how Black children and their families are perceived and treated in early care and education programs.

Kids' Wellness Matters Podcast Ep. 18: Building Confidence in Shy & Anxious Children
Learn how to help shy or anxious children build confidence with expert tips from Sara Budowsky, LCSW, a Lurie Children’s clinical social worker and psychotherapist.

Lurie Children’s Helps Train Pediatricians to Screen Toddlers for Mental Health Risk, with Equity and Ethics in Mind
Clinicians from Lurie Children’s will address concerns around early detection of mental health challenges in children in partnership with Northwestern University’s new Mental Health, Earlier Center funded by an $11.7 million award from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health.

Talking to Children about Tragedies in the News
Mental health experts offer tips on how to talk to kids about tragedies, instability and overwhelming news events.

Kids' Wellness Matters Podcast Ep. 16: Navigating Infant & Toddler Challenges
Dr. Miller Shivers discusses strategies for managing issues many parents face at home such as infant anxiety, toddler tantrums, strengthening the parent-child bond and more.
Philanthropy
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.